In accordance with Section 4 of the Plant (Importation and Pest Control) Ordinance, Cap. 207 , any plant imported into Hong Kong must be accompanied by a Plant Import Licence issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and a valid Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of its origin.

No person shall import any plant specified in Part I of the First Schedule (viz. rubber, tree cotton, sterculia, cocoa, maize and tea) unless :-

• it is accompanied by a Plant Import Licence;

• it is fumigated or disinfected in the country of its origin;

• it is accompanied by a valid Phytosanitary Certificate;

• it is subject to post-entry quarantine observation.

No person shall import any plant specified in Part II of the First Schedule (viz. pineapple, citrus, sweet potato, banana, cotton, groundnut and rice) unless :-

• it is accompanied by a Plant Import Licence;

• it is accompanied by a valid Phytosanitary Certificate;

• it is imported in accordance with conditions specified in Part II of the First Schedule
  and any other quarantine conditions imposed by the Director;

No person shall import any other plant unless it is accompanied by a Plant Import Licence and a valid Phytosanitary Certificate.

No Plant Import Licence or Phytosanitary Certificate is required for the import of :-

• cut flowers;

• fruit and vegetables for consumption;

• grains, pulses, seeds and spices for human or animal consumption or for industrial use;

• timber and timber products including rattan and bamboo;

• dried tobacco and manufactured articles incorporating dried leaves;

• plants produced in and imported from China.

No Plant Import Licence is required for import of seeds other than grains, pulses, seeds and spices for human or for animal consumption or for industrial use if they are accompanied by a valid Phytosanitary Certificate.

No person shall import any plant pest or soil (including earth, sand, clay and peat) except under authorization issued by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation.

Soil imported from China is exempted from control of the ordinance.

Any person who without reasonable excuses contravenes the Ordinance shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of $10,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months.

If the plant to be imported is subject to the control of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance , applicant should comply with the requirements of the Ordinance.